Debt of ‘Kindness’

This happened some months back. That particular day, I felt like eating Bhakri (jowar roti). I needed someone to make it and make it well. With some hesitation, I asked our domestic help Sunita Taai (hesitation because its not part of her job role) if she would make it. Of course she readily agreed and started making them.

I was sitting at the dinning table with laptop open but mindlessly staring into nothing. Sunita Taai turned back and asked, ‘What are you thinking Didi, how much to pay me for this?’. She wasn’t very wrong because I was indeed contemplating on that question in my mind. I smiled sheepishly. She said, ‘Taai, don’t make things so complicated. This is really nothing and you don’t have to pay for every help you receive’.

We understand money as a currency very well and sometimes we are more than willing to pay even higher money just to not stay under any obligations. Our proud selves would hate to stay obliged. That’s why acts of kindness and help offered to us without expectation of cash or kind in return scare us. We cant figure out how to repay the debt that doesn’t involve money or things. So in-turn we refuse such favours.

Allowing people to help us needs breaking down egos and breaking down walls. Allowing people to see our inefficiencies, inadequacies, fears and vulnerabilities need a lot more courage. We all claim how helpful we are. I think equal greatness lies in accepting how much help we need. Allowing people the pleasure of helping us and in turn think of ways to do something for them. Not necessarily through cash or kind but simple acts and words of love, kindness and acceptance — a hug, a heart-felt thank you , a warm smile, a hot cup of tea, a puffed phulka or a dollop of ghee.

Love or kindness can be paid off in so many different currencies that money can not even begin to imagine.

#love

#kindness

#money